We live in a world of evil. Sin abounds everywhere. Even our churches often slip into teachings and activities not ordered by God. Even the "elect" can be deceived (Matt.24:24).
Sin is not new. Temptation is not new. Before Jesus began His ministry, He was three times tempted by the devil (Matt.4:11). Temptation always offers something attractive; Jesus was given a chance to feed all the hungry people by turning stones into bread. The devil even quoted scripture to say Jesus could do it. It sounded great, but that isn't the way God feeds people! God CAN perform miracles, but He doesn't make a habit of violating the laws of nature unless absolutely necessary.
With Jesus' heart of compassion, I am sure He would have loved to eradicate hunger in the world, but He knew that was not His mission. His mission was to make a new covenant between God and man and teach man how to live. He knew the heart of man was a number one priority. Although He fed the 5,000 miraculously on one occasion, He doesn't make a practice of it, and He expects man to work for a living.
When there is something we desire to have, it is important to take time to examine it carefully. If it is more money or a better job, we should ask "Why"? If we desire these things to supply for our family or to help finance God's Kingdom, it could be a good motive. If it is only to increase our wealth for selfish reasons, we should remember that Jesus said, "You cannot serve two masters...you cannot serve both God and money" (Matt.6:24 NIV).
Sometimes even a good work can be sin. It is sin if by doing it someone or a more important work is being sacrificed. Our first priority is to teach and preach the gospel to others to tell them of the Good News. If we get off on bunny-tracks which, although good works in themselves, we should examine our life and doctrine closely. Too many Christians are so busy doing deeds they are losing touch with Jesus and thereby giving in to sin.
It is not easy to sort out the many voices coming at us. In fact, there is only one way to do it.
We must be yoked up with Jesus as with another oxen so that we can pull our wagon of life steadily and carefully (Matt.11:28-30). In other words, we need to learn to communicate with a Jesus who arose from the dead and who hears our every prayer. We can ask Him which course of action to take, then follow His gentle leading. If we insist on going our own way, we run into many problems. If we learn to be a willing oxen to do our share, not expecting everything to fall from heaven, His harness will gently tug to keep us on the right path. By prayer, we can learn to do our part to further His Kingdom, but we must be sure we are doing exactly what He wants each step of the way. "My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" (Matt.11:30). In good times and also in bad times we are never left alone to do everything by ourselves.
The thing we desire the most may be the very thing Satan will hurl at us to either cause us to sin or to keep us so busy we have no time to do what God wants us to do. It has been said that if the devil can just keep Christians busy, he can have his way in the world. It is also said that the way the world becomes evil is by a lot of good people doing nothing!
Jesus knocks at the door of our hearts, wanting to come in and live there (Rev.3:20). He comes as a Friend, not an enemy or a stranger. He comes as a Teacher to help us solve our many problems. He comes to give us peace and joy. He comes to give us everlasting life. I wonder why so many people will not answer the doorbell! I should think they would all rush to let Him in to teach them aright in a world as confusing as the one in which we live.
When Jesus knocks, let us answer the doorbell!
© 1999, Doreen Palmer